I'm going to say it straight away.....spring is here. There, I've done it now and I can't take it back. We've been seeing signs here and there for a while but to be honest as a true Brit (I'm going to moan about the weather now) - the snow and rain (more than just April showers I would suggest) have put the brakes on a bit.
But this week, it's all starting to happen. It's been a week of firsts for me. My first Willow Warbler on Tuesday, singing away just after the bridge towards the Avalon Hide but since then there are a few more including near the old rail bridge and round the back of Waltons. John Crispin saw and heard his first one too and sent in this shot - thanks John:
Also the first singing blackcap of the season too - although I heard plenty more today and even saw a couple of males having a bit of a squabble in some brambles. John's come up with another great shot of a blackcap taken this week- thanks again John:
There have been a few spotted over the last couple of weeks - and even when we had the last lot of snow but this morning I saw my first sand martins of the year. There had to be around 30 in a group which flew over Waltons and headed towards the 1st platform (VP1). I did a loop of Waltons and when I got to VP1 I saw my first swallow of the year too so I was a very happy bunny this morning.
I've also been getting reports of reed warblers since Tuesday but I had to wait until this morning to get mine. It was singing just off the path as you walk up the last stretch to the Avalon Hide. Be warned though the water levels here have been quite high and come over the path in some places. People have been walking around it fine until the last couple of days where it has now become pretty muddy there too. It is passable in wellingtons or stout boots but I'd leave your flip flops or trainers in the car for this one.
Now that water in the surrounding drains has dropped sufficiently we can now pump out the reserve a bit so this level should drop considerably over the next day or too.
If you're going to the hide look out for the Marsh Harriers. Regular flights here and some great skydancing reported on Tuesday and the odd food pass. There's a nice looking male involved in much of this action.
Bitterns are present here too - not just the boomers. There have been a few chases involving 2 birds. This is often a male chasing a female but on chase on Tuesday looked more aggressive rather than passion fueled. This perhaps suggests two males - one certainly sent the other packing. A regular visitor Terry Honeywill witnessed the chase and took this shot. Thanks Terry:
A few duck accompany theses stars in this area but also keep your eyes peeled for tawny owls in the box behind the hide in the wood and for barn owl seen Monday evening by the gate on the bank to the right of the hide.
If it's great white egrets you're after then you may not even need to leave the car park. They have been flying over quite regularly from the reedbeds just beyond. For the best views perhaps walk along the main track and then look to your right across that first piece of reedbeds. You'll most likely see a few white bodies amongst the reeds.
Several were seen however this week within Waltons from the 3rd screen (on the west side). 6 were here in total with another 3 from VP1. of these 6 had black bills (suggesting they are in breeding plumage) and 3 with orange/yellow bills. Among them was also one of the ringed birds AAF who is a male ringed at Ham Wall on 26th June last year. I also saw him today on the east side of Waltons perched in the reeds close to one on the grey heron's nests. You can see this if you look closely on the Tor View Hide path. Thanks again to John for sending in these photos:
Lots of other action from the car park this week including a red kite on Monday (one seen last week too), 19 snipe which flew over - also on Monday, raven, song thrush in full voice, lots of other birdsong including chiffchaff and some friendly robins looking for a crumb or two.
The sunny spells (yes, we are getting some) are proving good for invertebrates. There seems to be an increase in flying insects this week - coinciding with the arrival of hirundines and other migrants which can only be a good thing for them. There are more bumblebees about too and I'm beginning to see more butterflies. This week I've recorded: small tortoiseshell, brimstone, red admiral, peacock, comma, speckled wood and green veined white.
Look out also for the emergence of more grass snakes and movement from the Iberian water frogs which inhabit the reserve - the car park pools have often been a good place to start your search.
After this a walk along the main path should not only bring the reward of all the new arriving warblers but also the possibility of goldcrest, treecreeper, bullfinch and redpolls. There are still a few being spotted. John Crispin took these shots of them on alder trees just past the second platform (VP2). Particularly nice to see the male in his breeding plumage - very handsome:
Also this week: pintails both male and female seen from VP2, kingfishers since several times particularly around the Waltons section, 6 cattle egrets still roosting each night, 2 jays seen along the footpath side of the main drain, Teal and wigeon still present on site, redwing seen at the car park this morning, bearded tits seen last Friday from VP2, Water rail seen a few times from the Tor View Hide this week, both common tern and little gull reported today over on Shapwick Heath from Noah's hide, black tailed godwits seen on a few occasions this week with 30 last weekend in flight and 7 seen loafing from VP2 on Tuesday and a redshank seen both on the ground and in flight calling on Thursday in the VP2 area. Thanks to John Crispin for sending in his shot:
That's it for this week - come and see us and see what spring has to offer - more surprises in store no doubt. Have a great weekend - and thanks for reading.